Fourth Republic Founded — Women Vote for First Time

A new constitution establishes the Fourth Republic, a parliamentary system with a weak presidency. French women vote for the first time (having received suffrage in 1944). The Fourth Republic oversees economic reconstruction through the Marshall Plan, creates the welfare state (Sécurité sociale, 1945), and founds the European Coal and Steel Community (1951). However, chronic governmental instability (25 governments in 12 years) undermines its authority.